PLN Partners With NTT Provincial Government And Nusa Cendana University To Develop Biomass Sources For Cofiring

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) is collaborating with the Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT Provincial Government) and Nusa Cendana University (Undana) to develop two sources of biomass that will be used to support the co-firing program at a steam power plant (PLTU).

The two sources of biomass come from the development of energy forests and integrated livestock.

This cooperation agreement is contained in a memorandum of understanding or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the PLN NTT Regional Parent Unit with the NTT Provincial Government and Nusa Cendana University. This agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) 2 forum event in Labuan Bajo, 24 June.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that apart from ensuring a safe supply of biomass for co-firing, this collaboration is also to boost the community's economy.

Later, the NTT Provincial Government and Nusa Cendana University will supply the biomass needs for the Bolok PLTU.

"This energy is based on people's energy. We thank the Governor for providing an additional 3,600 hectares of land in the Timor Island area. This location is in the same ecosystem as the Bolok PLTU," Darmawan said in a statement to the media, Friday, June 24.

He said that later on, PLN and the University of Nusa Cendana would plant Kaliandra, Kedondong Hutan and Lamtoro plants.

"That is, how do we synergize to add new renewable energy but at the same time create jobs, accelerate economic growth, and eradicate poverty," added Darmawan.

Darmawan explained that currently the use of co-firing has been carried out by PLN in 58 PLTUs throughout Indonesia.

This step was taken by PLN to reduce dependence on coal raw materials and also to increase the use of clean energy at the power plant.

"This synergy is a joint effort to reduce carbon emissions to support the achievement of the carbon neutral target by 2060," said Darmawan.

Darmawan explained that the development of energy forest and integrated animal husbandry as raw material for biomass co-firing is not only for PLTU needs.

Through this development, PLN invites all communities, especially those around energy forests, to be actively involved in protecting the environment.

The use of biomass in this PLTU even provides a multiplier effect, namely creating jobs and improving community welfare through the culture of planting trees as biomass raw materials.

"The involvement of the university as an agent of change is also a manifestation of the tri dharma of higher education in which academics directly participate in the development and assistance of the community in managing the energy forest and integrated animal husbandry," concluded Darmawan.

The Chancellor of the University of Nusa Cendana, Dr. drh. Maxs UE Sanam, M. Sc expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with PLN and the local government in developing green energy and reducing carbon emissions through co-firing programs and bioenergy forests.

According to him, this program is in line with Undana's vision as a globally oriented university.

"This collaboration is in line with Undana's concern for global issues, particularly related to limited fossil energy resources, and environmental health and safety," he said.

He added, the implementation of these collaborative programs not only brings benefits in terms of opening up opportunities for research and the availability of learning facilities for Undana academics and students, but also increasing awareness of the responsibility for the entire Undana academic community to become agents of change or champions. in programs/activities to save the environment and use resources that are more productive but environmentally friendly and sustainable.

"The benefits are not only for the current generation but also for generations to come," he explained.